IPL: Warriors beat CSK by seven wickets

pune,
Sun, 15 Apr 2012NI Wire

By the blistering innings of Smith and unbeaten batting of Ryder, Pune Warriors defeated Chennai Super Kings by 7 wickets in an IPL match. While Ryder held the innings together for his highest score in the IPL, Smith's power hitting towards the end saw the home team through after an intense battle with the defending champions.

Ryder made an unbeaten 73 and Smith smashed 44 off 22 balls including the last 10 runs needed off the final over as to chase the Chennai Super Kings score 155.

By this victory now Pune Warriors lead the points table with three victories from four games while Chennai drop down to sixth place with three losses in five matches.

Both the batsman shared 66 runs for the fourth wicket after Robin Uthappa (10), Sourav Ganguly (16) and Marlon Samuels (8) departed to make it 90 for three in the 13th over with the team needing another 66 off 44 balls.

Smith batted blistering and hitted three fours and a six in the 18th and the 19th over bowled by Dwayne Bravo (0/31) and Nuwan Kulasekara (0/38) to set up an exciting finish.

Ryder and Smith always looked like overcoming the target but Chennai managed to take the match right down to the wire.

CSK's captain Dhoni's planning remained fruitless when he handed over the last over to Mahesh and finally Smith finished the game.